With malice toward none, with charity for all, with firmness in the right as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in, to bind up the nation's wounds, to care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow and his orphan, to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace among ourselves and with all nations.

Tuesday, May 27, 2008

Movie Reviews: Indiana Jones IV and Iron Man

This weekend we carted up the kids, packed a picnic dinner a went to the drive in movies to see Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull and Iron Man. Quick review for those of you with attention spans spans developed since 1980, they're both pretty decent - go see them.Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull is the third best Indiana Jones movie, behind the sublime Lost Ark and the decent Last Crusade, still way better than the abominable Temple of Doom.Iron Man was a bit of a surprise to me in that I don't normally like or go out of way to see big screen comic book adaptations. There is probably some political hay to be made by looking at how this movie portrays the American industrial military complex, but considering it was made in Hollywood, I imagine we should be thankful Iron Man isn't a recycled aluminium, transgendered vegan who seeks to engage in multilateral dialogues and increased CAFE standards. No, even after Iron Man realizes weapons cause boo-boos, he still manages to kick ass and leave the name taking to someone who gives a shit.Robert Downey, Jr. really is a fine actor in the right part and this roll is perfect for him. A bald headed Jeff Bridges and a skinny Gwyneth Paltrow are fine as well. Everything you ever wanted in a big budget Hollywood film, admirably executed.